Bwog tipster Tipper Austin, CC '11, alerted us of the presence of a Bird Relocation Expert on campus. Worried that Our Hero may be in danger, we scurried out to College Walk and saw this van.

Hawkmadinejad, Winged Hero of Morningside, appears to have returned to campus. O, glorious return! Your bird has been spotted outside of Hamilton (correction: where he promptly devoured a pigeon), Butler (where he promptly devoured a pigeon) and Riverside and 109th. More photos of his fearfulness and sublimity below! Saakashtweety, prepare thyself.

Photo by Lauren Weiss

Bwog just received the following Shocking Report from Lecture Hop editor Pierce Stanley, who's currently staked out in Butler:

"There is a pigeon in the reference room right now, flying around trying to get out and walking alongside the books on the walls. Everyone is sort of watching and laughing."

Quickly! What should we name him? Stanley suggests Webster, "in honor of one of the most seminal reference books ever."

And if you're in Butler and you have a camera, snap a picture of this delightful avian distraction and send it to bwog@columbia.edu.

UPDATE 9:14 PM: Saakashtweety it is!

Bwog spotted an unknown (but tagged) winged creature at the South Street Seaport. He/she was a menacing sort, and a crowd had gathered at a safe distance around the bird as he/she spread his/her wings and hopped about. Recognize this bird or his species? Email bwog@columbia.edu or use the comment thread.

Right this minute, on the lawn in front of John Jay, the hawk that's been spotted near Lewisohn and the LLC is lunching on a pigeon. It swooped down and snatched it in dramatic fashion. Onlookers, please send in your photos and stories. Bored studiers, please suggest names for our hawk. Apparently, they're territorial, so he/she may be around for a while.

- ACM

Tonight marks the first night of Chanukah. We have the Maccabees and their defeat of Seleucid Empire to thank for 8 nights of presents, gelt and latkes beginning in 25 minutes. (And our friends in states with agriculture-based economies to thank for sunset at 4:28pm tonight.)

Chabad house is celebrating by lighting an outlandishly-sized menorah (the press release claims "8ft!!") on the steps of Low every night of Chanukah. Chabad's combating the bitter, freezing cold with promises of free hot cider and donuts.

A happy Chanukah to all!

Meanwhile, the cycle of life and death continues to play out in front of Furnald. Reports are circulating of large bird ("hawk/falcon," says a source) perched in front of the dorm and causing a disturbance within Furnald lawn's regular crow population. Perhaps the "8ft!!" menorah will frighten the hawk/falcon back to the wilds and rectify the unbalance in Morningside Height's ecosystem. It would be a Chanukah miracle.

UPDATE 5:14PM: Bird expert and Bwog tipster Courtney identifies the hawk/falcon as a juvenile red-tail hawk. And in the grand tradition of Maccabees vs. Antiochus IV and other battles of Chanukahs past, thus commences 8ft!! Menorah vs. Red-Tail Hawk.

Bwog recieved this picture and a panicked message from a camera phone a few minutes ago:

"I WAS WALKING DOWN BROADWAY AND THIS LITTLE AGE [sic] WAS SITTING INJURED ON THE SIDEWALK SOMEONE FIND A BIRD EXPERT. There as to be someone here for enviro day.We put him near this Tree at bArnard"

Save the bird! Make a friend!